When did the news start reporting 'women and children were killed'

score:4

Accepted answer

From the Gallic Wars, written by Julius Caesar:

A part was then slain by the infantry when they were crowding upon one another in the narrow passage of the gates; and a part having got without the gates, were cut to pieces by the cavalry: nor was there one who was anxious for the plunder. Thus, being excited by the massacre at Genabum and the fatigue of the siege, they spared neither those worn out with years, women, or children.

A case could be made that Caesar's work was the first instance of "news" in that it was a detailed written firsthand account produced close in time to events in question, and I know of nothing similar produced earlier. So the answer is that the "news" started reporting such things as long as the "news" has existed, as it's always been a part of warfare.

More post

Search Posts

Related post